Diamond Names Comic Book Retailer's 2014 GEM Publishers of the Year

Update January 9, 2015: Diamond sent out a correction regarding these awards, noting that the winner of the category '2014 Licsned TP/HC of the Year" is Dark Horse's Avatar: The Last Airbender - The Search Library ED. HC, and not My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic Vol. 1 TP which they originally listed in their press release.

Original Story: Diamond Comic Distributors, the largest middleman between comic book publishers and your local comic book store, each year names the recipients of their Gem Awards, which according to Diamond are awarded to recognize “the pinnacle of sales achievement for comic book artists, writers, publishers, and industry executives who work in one of America's most unique art forms"

The Gem Awards Vendor categories are nominated by a panel of “Diamond product specialists based on their overall impact on the industry, while comics and related merchandise were chosen on the merits of their sales performance and quality from 2014.” Winners were then selected by “members of the most critical segment that serves the comic book-buying public — comic book specialty retailers across the United States and worldwide.”

"We established the Gem Awards to give retailers an opportunity to recognize the suppliers, titles, and products that have been instrumental in helping their businesses grow over the past year," said Diamond President & CEO Steve Geppi in a press release. "Our suppliers work diligently to support retailers and the entire industry with top-quality titles and products, and we thank all of the retailers who took time from their busy schedules to vote and acknowledge those efforts."

For 2014, Image Comics was named the industry’s top publisher (in the over 4% market share category) for the second consecutive year. DC previously dominated the award from 2009 to 2012. Despite being the annual sales leader, Marvel last won the award for 2008.

For Image, it further solidifies their profile as the publishing haven for creators looking to expand upon the work-for-hire superhero dominance by the ‘Big Two.’

BOOM! Studios was named Comic Book Publisher of the Year with Under 4% Market Share.

Here are the rest of the Gem Award winner, including the Product category winners: